CHS principal selected for Harvard program

Commerce – Commerce High Principal Virdie Montgomery has been chosen to attend the Raise Your Hand Texas Leadership Program at The Principal's Center, Harvard Graduate School this summer.

Chosen from over 350 candidates, Montgomery will join 100 other principals in one of five Summer Institutes. Montgomery will attend the institute "Redesigning High Schools For Improved Instruction" June 28-July 3 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

According to the Raise Your Hand Texas website, the Summer Institutes expose principals to leading national and international experts in the fields of education and leadership. They offer hands-on opportunities to work alongside renowned educators from across the country.

"I'm very excited to have this opportunity. It is something I thought I would never be able to be a part of. To be in the company with those types of people will be amazing," Montgomery said.

The program will provide the theories, knowledge, tools and best practices necessary to redesign high schools to become powerful learning centers for students and adults. Founded in 1981, The Principal's Center dedicates itself to the support, development and improvement of school principals. The Center's programs and services offer the chance to acquire new perspectives on leadership, engage in personal reflection and develop professional networks.

"Our TAKS scores show that we are making amazing gains in student achievement. I really look forward to discover other ways to increase our student performance," Montgomery added.